100 Calorie Snacks

100 calorie Smartfood popcorn

I’ve always enjoyed Smartfood popcorn, which has a fresh-popped taste and just the right amount of seasoning. So I was excited to see these 100 calorie packs. The 5/8 ounce serving is larger than it sounds, and the White Cheddar Cheese flavor gives the popcorn a chip-like taste, which is not surprising since Smartfood is a product of Frito-Lay. Another point in its favor: Popcorn is a great snack “bridge” between meals, and the prepopped variety means you won’t annoy people in your office with microwave popcorn smell. And you won’t have to share.

Chessmen cookies

There are about 10 rectangle-shaped cookies in each 100 calorie pack of Pepperidge Farms Chessmen Chocolate Cookies. That’s not nearly enough for a chess match, but enough for a quick treat. They smelled better than they tasted, which was just “OK.” But that could be personal preference, so if you need a chocolate fix you could do worse than these little guys. The name did make me think of the notorious kidnapper, Caryl Chessman, which was not very appetizing.

Thomas 100 calorie bagels

Thomas bagels come in many sizes (though only one shape–round–because they’re bagels, har har). The 100 calorie version comes in plain flavor only. They’re actually kinda cute. The bagels are pre-split and fit in most toasters. If you need your carb fix, these little guys are the way to go, no counting necessary. There’s also a “mini bagel” bag, in which each bagel is a little larger and has a few more calories (I think they’re 130 each but I need to check) . Thomas also makes 100 calorie English muffins.

90 calorie Rice Krispies

Did you know some of those little boxes of breakfast cereal are 100 calories or less? Some even boast the calorie count on the package, like this box of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies that comes in at 90 calories per serving. (Of course, that goes up once you add milk, but use nonfat and it won’t be much.) This box contains .88 oz of cereal. It tastes like Rice Krispies. Because it is.

100 calorie mocha

If you (like me) can’t live without your morning mocha, General Foods has the answer with its 100 Calorie Pack Cafe Mocha Cappucino. Just add hot water (or, for a richer taste and more calories, add milk) and enjoy a 6-ounce glass of chocolatey coffee goodness. It’s caffeinated, too. Now, obviously, you could buy a regular tin of General Foods International Coffee and measure out portions as you go. But if you want convenience that will help you count calories at the same time, these packs are a definite option. There are five envelopes per box, and the box I bought was $2.99 — less than I’d pay for a coffee shop mocha. Take a pack to work and you’ll save money and a trip to the coffee shop.

100 calorie oatmeal raisin cookies

These teeny tiny versions of Pepperidge Farm’s Soft Baked Oatmeal Raisin cookies come just a few to a pack, but they live up to the promise of softness. The raisins are moist as well. On the down side, there are fewer than a dozen nickel-sized cookies in each pack, but at least you know you’re getting your 25 calories’ worth.